Bruntwood and MBS sets out vision for phase 2 of revamp
PLANS for the second phase of the £50m redevelopment of Manchester Business School have been submitted to Manchester City Council.
Developer Bruntwood and The University of Manchester have put forward plans which focus on the redevelopment of the existing precinct centre to create a 40,500 sq ft retail and
The new vision would see the existing precinct centre reconfigured to create up to 14 units ranging in size from 600 sq ft to 11,000 sq ft, with double-height glazed frontages onto Oxford Road. The units will create a mixed offer of retail, food and leisure for students, staff and visitors to the university and Business School, the working population on and around Oxford Road and local residents.
It will complement the new hotel and enhanced Manchester Business School Executive Education Centre, both of which are being developed as part of phase one, which was granted planning consent in April 2013 with construction due to commence later in 2014.
In addition to the retail and leisure, phase two includes the removal of a link bridge across Oxford Road to improve views and light levels in the area. Public realm improvements such as pavement widening will enhance the area for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.
The plan also includes revamping around 200,000 sq ft of MBS facilities to create upgraded teaching and administrative accommodation, a new ‘Learning Library’ and ‘Enterprise Zone’.
Toby Sproll, head of retail and leisure at Bruntwood, said: “The creation of a vibrant retail and leisure offer as part of the wider redevelopment of Manchester Business School is vital. Not only is there strong demand for a great retail mix from the University’s students, staff, workers and local residents, the site is a key strategic location in the Oxford Road Corridor.
“At the moment, there is very little retail or leisure provision between the city centre and Whitworth Park. These plans, however, create a new focal point that will provide fantastic amenities to the underserved catchment, attracting customers from first thing in the morning until well into the evening. We are confident demand for this location will see it become a thriving new destination in Manchester.”
Diana Hampson, director of estates and facilities at The University of Manchester, added: “We share a long-term vision with Bruntwood to deliver not just exemplary facilities for the Manchester Business School and the University, but to create a landmark development in the Oxford Road Corridor.”
Subject to planning consent, work on the retail redevelopment will begin in 2015, with the development set to open in mid-2016. The wider scheme of MBS refurbishment works will be completed in phases with the final phase due for completion in early 2018.
The architects on phase two is BDP while Tushingham Moore has been appointed by Bruntwood and The University of Manchester as the leasing agents for the scheme.
